Automated adjustment of envelope machines



United States Patent Continuation-impart of Sen No. 675,376, Oct. 16,1967, now Patent No. 3,429,238, dated Feb. 25, 1969.

[54] ,AIJTOMATED ADJUSTMENT OF ENVELOPE MACHINES 14 Claims, 13 DrawingFigs.

[52] US. Cl 93/61 [51] Int. Cl. B3lb1/00 [50] Field ofSearchW. 93/61,

61ACF, 62, 63M, 61A

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,186,316 6/1965 Lenk t.93/62 3,379,l03 4/l968 Treff ABSTRACT: Adjustable mechanisms. of anenvelope making machine each have a rotatable adjustment shaftassociated therewith which is independent of any operating drivemembers. A rotatable master shaft having a screw thread thereon extendsalong the machine and cooperates with a plurality of worm gears andremotely operable clutches forming parts of respective motiontransmitting takeoff structures connected between the adjustment shaftsand the master shaft. Electrically operated brakes are included inrespective takeoff structures where necessary for selectivelydisengaging the operating drive members of the adjustable mechanismsduring adjustment. Counting devices are associated with the takeoffstructures to monitor position changes of the adjustable mechanismsduring adjustment, and homing monitors are associated with theadjustable mechanisms to signal a home or zero position attained by eachmechanism as a basis for accurate readjustment A computer coordinatesmaster shaft rotations with operating signals simultaneously directed toseveral brakes and clutches in accordance with a predetermined program.

ATENTEU IJECZS 19m SHEET 5 OF 5 INVENTOR,5

JAMES W.LENK,

ARTHUR H. BURNETT, BY KENNETH QMAY MM, g u

ATTORNEYS AUTOMATED ADJUSTMENT F ENVELOPE MACHINES This application is acontinuation-impart of copending application Ser. No. 675,376, filedOct. [6, 1967, now U. S. Pat. No. 3,429,238, issued Feb. 25, I969. Theinvention disclosed herein relates to the high speed production ofenvelopes, and more particularly to the rapid readjustment of envelopemaking machines to permit receiving and operating upon envelope blanksof altered dimensions from the previous run.

Modern envelope making machines are highly complex arrangements whichare capable of operating at high speed while performing a great numberof accurate operations upon envelope blanks in a predetermined sequence.With dimensional changes in the envelopes produced, it was heretoforenormally necessary to halt production and conduct an extremely tediousand time-consuming manual adjustment program on the machine. Suchdown-time" constitutes a significant factor in the cost of finishedenvelopes and, in recent years, the skilled personnel necessary toefficiently perform I the necessary readjustments have becomeincreasingly difficult to obtain, while dimensional variations inenvelopes have multiplied. It is, therefore, of great economicimportance to simplify and shorten the adjustment program.

In the practice of this invention, the adjustable mechanisms whichsequentially operate on the envelope blanks are not altered in function,but may be selectively modified so that an adjustment thereof isperformed through the simple rotation of a shaft, which, if necessary,operates in conjunction with structure for releasing the mechanism fromits operating drive member during such adjustment. An adjusting memberin the form of an elongated master shaft with screw threads thereon isextended along the envelope machine and is connected throughmotion-transmitting takeoff members to the respective mechanismadjusting shafts. The takeoff members have worm gears simultaneouslyengaged with the threads of master shaft and electrically operatedclutches adapted to selectively engage and disengage the master shaftfrom the respective adjustable mechanism shaft. An adjusting motor,which may be in the form of a common reversible electric drive motor, isengaged with the master shaft to selectively rotate same. Sensing meansare associated with each of the takeoff members for monitoring therotation, and hence the position change, of the adjustable mechanism andsignal producing zero position sensing means are advantageously includedto remotely indicate when the adjustable mechanism has achieved a homeor zero position to which the desired adjusted position may be related.A computer or suitable programmed control device is provided totranslate data associated with the dimensional changes of a new blank tooutput signals producing coordination of the adjusting motor rotationwith actuation of the clutches and brakes. The computer further may beprogrammed to calculate the amount of adjustment required for eachmechanism from a relatively few signal inputs related to a small numberof basic measurements of the blank configuration to be operated upon.The use of cooperating worm and worm gears provide sufficient mechanicaladvantage so that all mechanisms may be adjusted simultaneously in asingle sweep with the mechanisms achieving adjustment progressivelybeing disengaged from the adjusting motor as it continues to turn.Torque limiting slip clutches are provided to permit some mechanisms toremain at home position simultaneously with the movement of othermechanisms toward their home position in preparing for the adjustmentsweep. The monitoring of position changes during the sweep to homeposition provides information useful to more accurately program for asubsequent production run of the blank configuration just finished,since this information will include any additional adjustment madeduring the run.

Thus, a large number of mechanism adjustments can be performedsequentially and/or simultaneously without direct manual contact withthe envelope machine and with a great reduction in time, skilled labor,and the chances for error.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide asignificant reduction in the tirneand skill necessary to readjust highspeed envelope machines between production runs of different envelopeblank configurations; to provide automated adjusting in envelope makingmachines wherein highly varied mechanisms are adjusted simply throughthe remotely controlled rotation of respective adjusting shafts; toprovide such an arrangement which permits multiple adjustments to occursimultaneously; to provide such an arrangement which does not requirehighly specialized devices such as stepping motors for performing remoteadjustments; to provide such an arrangement which easily conforms tooperation through computer programming; to provide such an arrangementwhich provides information regarding additional manual adjustments formore accurate subsequent programming; to provide such an arrangementwherein the adjusting members are functionally independent of the normaloperating drive members of the machine; and to provide such anarrangement which renders feasible the use of complex, high speedenvelope making machinery on relatively short production runs.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein are set forth by way of illustration and examplecertain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. I (a and b) is a schematic side elevational view depict ing a highspeed envelope making machine embodying this invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic fragmentary perspective view showing a lateralspacing adjustment mechanism wherein an adjusting shaft includesopposite hand lead screws.

FIG. 3 is a schematic fragmentary perspective view showing a transfermechanism with a vacuum port pattern adjustment.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the mechanism ofFIG. 3, on an enlarged scale, showing the relationship between theoperating drive member and the adjusting structure.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation on a further enlarged scale,showing a home position indicating detent member as used on themechanism of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic fragmentary perspective view illustrat ing acorner post blank retaining member wherein spaced posts are adjustedwith respect to each other in two dimensions on a plane.

FIG. 7 is a schematic fragmentary perspective view illustrating ascoring mechanism with a rotary position adjustment.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale,through the mechanism of FIG. 7, showing the internal relationshipbetween the operating drive member and the adjusting structure.

FIG. 9 is a schematic fragmentary perspective view illustratingstructure for the lateral adjustment of a pair of elongated parallelrunner members.

FIG. I0 is a plan view of a section of punched tape illustrating atypical storage medium for informational data used in practicing thisinvention.

FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating key measurements on a pointed shapeenvelope blank to provide data used by the computer for calculatingnecessary adjustments in terms of shaft rotations,

FIG. 12 is a plan view similar to that of FIG. 11, but showing a bookletshaped envelope blank.

Referring to the drawings in more detail:

The reference numeral 1 generally indicates a high speed rotary envelopemaking machine, in this example patterned after apparatus sold under thetrademark Helios Type 129- DS, by Winkler and Dunnebier, Neuwied-Rhein,West Germany This machine is described in a form modified to illustratethe practice of this invention. The machine includes a main drive motor2, window cutting section 3, inking unit 4 for outside printing, blankfeed section 5 for feeding envelope blanks 6 into the machine, and aninking unit 7 for inside printing on the blanks. The machine I alsoincorporates a window application station 8, seal flap gumming section9, drying channel I0, heater II for the channel 10, folding and stickingsection 12, and a delivery section ill for the finished envelopes.

The machine 1 is constructed on an elongated frame 14 defining a path oftravel 15 for the blanks 6. Highly varied envelope blank contactingmembers are located throughout the machine for advancing the blanks 6 inpredetermined relation along the path of travel 15. A plurality ofadjustable mechanisms, a few selected examples of which are discussedbelow, are located in spaced relation along the path of travel 15 forsequentially operating on the blanks. Driving members 16 interconnectmany of the respective adjustable mechanisms for coordinating theoperations thereof and are themselves driven by the main motor 2.

The adjustable mechanisms are characterized as having a rotatable shaftassociated therewith for effecting adjustments thereof to compensate fordimensional changes in the blanks. Selected portions of representativeadjustable mechanisms are shown in FIGS. 2 to 8 and are discussed below.

Referring to FIG. 2, part of a flap separation mechanism 17 includes apair of adjustably spaced apart guides 18. For the practice of thisinvention, the guides 18 are partially mounted on a rotatable shaft 19having screw threads 20 and 21 of opposite hand extending in oppositedirections therealong from an intermediate position 22. The guides 13respectively engage the threads 20 and 21 on opposite sides of theintermediate portion 22 and a slide bar 23 permits lateral movement ofthe guides with respect to each other while preventing unwanted rotationabout the shaft 19. Thus, the rotation of the shaft 19 simultaneouslymoves the guides in opposite lateral directions. A sprocket 24 ismounted on a free end of the shaft 19 and is engaged with a chain 25which is engaged with a sprocket 26 mounted on a shaft 27. The shaft 27terminates in a suitable electrically operated clutch 28, which includesan input shaft 29 upon which is supported a worm gear 30. The worm gear30 is meshed with worm threads 31 on a rotatable master adjusting shaft32 extending along the frame 14.

The rotation of the master shaft 32, when occurring with the actuationof the clutch 28, causes the shaft 27 to rotate, resulting in rotationof the shaft 19 and lateral movement of the guides 18. However, so longas the clutch 28 remains unactuated, the rotation of the shaft 32 has noeffect on the lateral positioning adjustment of the guides 18. A disc 33is mounted on and rotates with the shaft 27 so as to move the peripherythereof past a sensor 34 suitably'mounted adjacent thereto. The disc 33may include suitable magnetic slugs, a signal carrying magnetic tape,cam surface variations, or other suitable means by which anappropriately matched sensor 34 is actuated to produce a signal inresponse to the angular rotation of the shaft 27. The resolving power ofthe disc 33 and sensor 34 may be varied as required, that is, to producediscrete signals in response to each complete rotation of the shaft 27or small fractions of a single revolution, as required to satisfactorilymonitor the adjustment as described below.

A home or zero position sensor 35 may take the form of a suitable switchmounted adjacent the mechanism 17 so that switch actuation occurs whenthe mechanism is adjusted to a position beyond any required duringnormal operation of the machine. The sensor 35 is preferably located inconjunction with a suitable physical stop (not shown) or the like, sothat the actuation of the switch coincides with the mechanism bottomingout." In this regard, the clutch 28 is adapted to limit torquetransmission during operation, that is, the clutch will slip if therotation of the input shaft 29 continues after home position is reached.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the illustrated mechanism portion includes avacuum cylinder 36 for grasping and moving envelope blanks as itrotates. The vacuum cylinder 36 has a plurality of vacuum ports 37 forretaining blanks thereagainst through certain angular motions. A vacuumhose 38 draws a vacuum in the hollow interior of the cylinder 36 througha suitable rotatable joint and valve 39. The cylinder 36 is rotatedthrough a gear 40 operably connected to one of the driving members 16when the envelopemachine is in normal operation. In order to compensatefor varying dimensions in runs of subsequent blanks, selected ports 37must be blocked or opened. To accomplish this, an internal hollow core41 is located within the vacuum cylinder 36 and has suitable cutoutportions 42 to provide communication between selected ports 37 and thevacuum hose 38. By rotating the core 41 with respect to the cylinder 36,certain ports 37 are blocked or opened.

The cylinder 36 and core 41 are mounted on a common shaft 43 with thecylinder 36 fixed with respect to the drive gear 40. During machineoperation, the core 41 is driven with the cylinder 36 through a normallyengaging electric brake 44. An electrically operated clutch 45,functionally similar to the clutch 28 described above in connection withFIG. 2, is mounted on the shaft 43 adjacent the brake 44 and has asuitable sprocket 46 rotatably fixed thereto. The sprocket 46 engages achain 47 which engages a sprocket on a shaft 48. The shaft 48 terminatesin a worm gear 49 which engages the worm thread 31 on the shaft 32 inspaced relation to the mechanism described in connection with FIG. 2.

The core 41 includes a flange 50 which projects radially beyond thecylinder 36. The periphery of the flange 50, in this example, hasmagnetic tape 51 thereon recorded with spaced magnetic lines. A sensor52 is suitably mounted adjacent the tape 51 and is adapted to produce asignal in response to each magnetic line on the tape moving therepast. Adetent device 53 includes a plunger 54 (FIG. 5) receivable into adepression 55 formed in the periphery of the radial flange 50. Theplunger 54 is selectively urged against the periphery of the flange 50by means of a magnetic coil 56, and when the plunger enters thedepression 55 this fact is indicated through a suitable switch 57contained in the detent mechanism 53 and having a switch arm 58 engagedwith the plunger 54. Thus, a signal is produced indicating that the core41 has achieved its home position.

In order to change the angular relation between the core 41 and thevacuum cylinder 36, the brake 44 is actuated to release the normallyfixed connection between the core and the cylinder and the clutch 45 isactuated to engage the core 41. The cylinder 36 is maintained in a knownfixed position relative to other operating mechanisms through the gear40. The rotation of the shaft 32 will produce a relative rotationbetween the cylinder 36 and core 41, the degree of rotation beingrelated to the degree of rotation of the shaft 32. Additional rotationof the clutch 45 when the plunger 54 is in the depression 55 will merelyproduce slipping against the flange 50. The degree of angular rotationof the core 41 during adjustment is measured through the sensor 52.

Referring to FIG. 6, the mechanism portion illustrated relates to a feedtable 59 having blank engaging corner posts 60. Compensating forvariations in blank dimensions requires that the posts 60 be adjustablein both directions on the plane of the table 59. To accomplish this afirst rotatable shaft 61 is provided having screw threads 62 and 63 ofopposite hand extending from a point 64 intermediate the ends of theshaft 61. The threads 62 and 63 are engaged with suitable blocks 65which are respectively secured to supports 66 for indirectly supportingthe corner posts 60. The rotation of the shaft 61 will cause thesupports 66 to move laterally with respect to each other and withrespect to the intermediate point 64. This causes the corner posts 60 tobe symmetrically adjustable transversely of the envelope making machine.

For adjustments of the posts longitudinally of the machine, a shaft 67is provided having a longitudinal spline structure slidably engagingscrew worms 68. The worms 68 engage suitable gears 69 which are mountedon threaded shafts 70 received in blocks 71 which are slidably mountedon the supports 66. When the shaft 67 is rotated, the blocks 71 slide onthe supports 66 longitudinally of the envelope making machine, thusproducing a longitudinal adjustment of the corner posts 60 carriedthereby.

The shafts 61 and 67, respectively, have sprockets 72 and 73 fixedthereto and engaging chains 74 and 75 which engage sprockets 76 and 77mounted on shafts 78 and 79. The shafts 78 and 79 terminate inrespective electrically operated clutches 80 and 81, similar to theclutch 28 described in connection with FIG. 2 and having input shaftscarrying worm gears 82 and 83 which respectively engage the screw worm31 of the master shaft 32. Thus, the rotation of the shaft 32 coupledwith coordinated actuation of the clutches 80 and 81 will result inlongitudinal and lateral adjustment of the comer posts 60 as requiredfor a particular change in envelope blank dimensions.

Discs 84 are fixed on the respective shafts 61 and 67 in cooperationwith sensors 85 for counting rotary changes in shaft position asdescribed in connection with the structure 33 and 34, FIG. 2. Likewise,sensors 86 are suitably located with respect to the mechanism in extremepositions to produce a a suitable signal upon the structures achieving ahome position.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is illustrated part of a flap scoringmechanism including a cylinder 87 having a scoring blade 88 which mustbe adjusted in angular position with respect to the drive gear 89 whenthe score location is changed due to alterations in envelope blankdimensions. The scoring cylinder 87 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 90and driven through a normally engaged brake 91 associated with the shaft90. An electrically operated clutch 92 is rotatably mounted on the shaft90, and when actuated engages the cylinder 87, so as to rotatetherewith. The clutch 92 includes a sprocket 93 engaging a chain 94which engages a sprocket 95 mounted on a shaft 96 supporting a worm gear97 which engages the screw worm 31 of the master shaft 32.

Thus, by rotating the shaft 32 with the cooperative engagement anddisengagement of the brake 91 and clutch 92, the scoring blade 88 may beadjusted to a new angular position with respect to the drive gear 89. Anangular stop device 98, similar to the device 53 described in connectionwith FIG. 5, is adapted to produce a signal upon the scoring cylinderachieving home position. A sensor device 99, similar to the structure 52described in connection with FIG. 4 operates in conjunction withmagnetic tape 100, as noted with respect to said FIG. 4

Referring to FIG. 9, there is illustrated a portion of a mechanism whichincludes a pair of elongated parallel runners 101 which must be adjustedlaterally while maintaining a parallel relation to compensate forvariations in envelope blank dimensions. To accomplish this, the runners101 have spaced apart mounting blocks 102 and 103 thereunder whichreceive parallel transverse shafts 104 and 105. The shafts 104 and 105each have screw threads thereon respectively of opposite hand extendingin opposite directions from intermediate points and engage in themounting blocks 102 and 103. The shafts 104 and 105 carry sprockets 106and 107 which are associated by means of a chain 108, whereby theyrotate in unison. The shaft 105 also has a sprocket 109 thereon, whichis engaged with a chain 110, in turn engaged with a sprocket 111. Thesprocket 111 is mounted on a shaft 112 terminating in an electricallyoperated clutch 113 having an input shaft supporting a worm gear 114mating with the worm screw 31 of the master shaft 32.

Thus, by rotating the shaft 32 with cooperative actuation of the clutch113, the runners 101 are moved toward and away from each other whilemaintaining parallel relation. A shaft rotation sensing member 115 andcooperating disc 116 on the shaft 112 are provided, as discussed inconnection with the structure of FIG. 2, and a suitable home positionsignaling device 117 is positioned to contact a mounting block.

A master adjusting motor 118 is engaged with the master shaft 32 and maybe any conventional reversible electric motor having sufficient torqueto rotate the shaft 32 against the relatively light torque resistanceprovided by the various worm gears and necessary supporting bearings. Itis to be understood that other suitable means may be used to producehome position of the mechanisms, such as suitable reversing, clutchingor gearing whereupon a true reversing motor is not necessary and theterm reversing motor should be construed to cover such alternate forms.The rotation of the shaft 32 is monitored by a disc 119 mounted on theshaft 32 and operating in conjunction with a suitable sensor 120 forproducing a pulse or multiplicity of pulses as desired upon each shaftrotation.

A signal controlling arrangement is provided, such as a suitablecomputer 121, which is adapted to translate input signals related toblank dimensional changes, to output signals defining correspondingrotations of the adjusting motor 118 with coordinated actuations of theclutches and brakes. Electrical conduits 139 and 140 carry the signalsfrom the computer 121 to the motor 118 and the respective clutches andbrakes to effect the desired adjustments simultaneously and/orsequentially. The signal controlling arrangement is desirably associatedalso with the control of the main drive motor 2 since, with certainmechanisms, such as the flap separation mechanism 17, the adjustment ispreferably or necessarily made with the envelope machine in operation.

The output control signals may be utilized to adjust the mechanisms to aselected home or zero position prior to the new operational setting, oradjust to the difference from the prior setting. The above noted homesensors may be utilized to indicate when the home position of eachmechanism is reached, and all mechanisms may be adjusted toward the homeposition simultaneously. Under these circumstances, certain of themechanisms will reach the home position prior to others, and in suchinstances slippage will take place in the particular adjusting trainswhile the homed mechanisms remain stationary. Thus, by driving theadjusting motor 118 beyond the point necessary to home to the mechanismrequiring the greatest number of adjusting shaft turns, all mechanismsare more or less simultaneously returned to home position in acomparatively short time. During the movement toward home position, therotation of the respective adjusting shaft may be monitored to insurethat they are actually in motion, and to obtain data regarding the priorproduction run setting. Such data may be valuable for later use, sinceprior settings may include some minor manual adjustments or fine tuning"which may desirably be incorporated in the subsequent master program forthat particular envelope configuration. Upon each mechanism achievinghome position, a signal is produced which may be used to indicate which,if any, mechanisms have failed to achieve the position and thus requiresmanual attention. Upon all home signals being received, actualreadjustment of the machine for a new production run can proceed withassurance that all mechanisms are starting from a zero or home position.

In the alternative the computer controls may be arranged so that therespective clutches are released when home position is signalled, thuseliminating the need for driving the respective mechanisms against anobstruction at the end of adjusting travel. However, the provisions forpermitting slippage is desired even in this case, since in an abnormalcondition may cause damage in absence of torque release. Further, handwheels or suitable control knobs are preferably retained on many of themechanisms, to permit fine tuning manually where desirable, for example,to compensate for humidity or stock variations, although such finetuning also may be performed through the adjusting motor if desired.

in adjusting the machine to the new settings, all mechanisms may bedriven simultaneously toward adjusted positions and the actual movementthereof may be monitored through the respective counting sensors. Uponthe respective positions being reached, a signal is produced releasingthe respective clutches and the sequence continues until the lastmechanism has achieved the desired adjusted position as indicated by thepredetermined program. The program may be stored and retrieved in anyconvenient form, for example, conventional punched tape 122, FIG. 10.

in programming, although there may be more than separate mechanisms toadjust, each adjustment can be expressed in terms of a relatively fewmeasurements of the envelope blank to be used. Referring to FIGS. 11 and12, there is illustrated, respectively, a pointed shape envelope blankand a booklet shape envelope blank, each having critical dimensionsshown thereon. The critical dimensions on a typical machine illustratedhave been found to be 14 in number and all of the machine changeoveradjustments can be described by various combinations of these,designated 123 through 137.

Measurement 129, however, does not refer to any particular measurement,but rather the basic envelope shape, that is, pointed shape or bookletshape. Measurement 138 is not a basic measurement, but a fraction ofmeasurement H28, in some cases one-third and in some cases two-thirds ofmeasurement 128. Measurement 13! is taken from the bottom flap fold lineto a point on the bottom edge of the side flap located one-third of theside flap width from the side flap fold line. Measurement 133 is theside flap height taken one-third the distance (from side flap fold line)of the overall side flap width measurement.

From the above measurements, all adjustments may be easily calculated bythe computer for use as a mechanism adjustment program.

It is to be understood that, while certain forms of this invention havebeen illustrated and described, it is not to be limited thereto.

We claim:

1. An envelope making machine adapted to selectively operate on envelopeblanks of various dimensions comprising:

a. an elongated frame defining a path of travel for said blanks, blankengaging members on said frame for advancing blanks along said path oftravel, a plurality of adjustable mechanisms on said frame and locatedin spaced relation along said path of travel for operating on saidblanks, means for driving certain of said adjustable mechanisms;

b. said adjustable mechanisms each having movable means associatedtherewith for effecting adjustments thereof to compensate fordimensional changes in said blanks;

c. an elongated rotatable master shaft extending along said frame, meansforming a worm thread on said master shaft, motion transmitting takeoffmembers connected to each of said movable means, said takeoff take offmembers each including a worm gear engaged with said worm thread and aremotely operable clutch adapted to selectively engage and disengagesaid worm gear with said respective movable means;

d. an adjusting motor engaged with said master shaft for moving saidrespective movable means upon actuation of said clutches;

e. control means adapted to translate input signals related to blankdimensional changes to control signals defining coordinated movements ofsaid adjusting motor and actuations of said clutches; and

f. signal transmitting means connecting said control means to saidadjusting motor means and respective clutches.

2. The machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein: slip means are includedbetween certain of said worm gears and movable means, said slip meansslipping above a predetermined torque during clutch actuation to permitcertain of said adjustable mechanisms to achieve and remain in homeposition simultaneously with the continued rotation of said mastershaft.

3. The machine as set forth in claim 2 wherein: said slip means areembodied in said clutches.

4. The machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein: home position sensingmeans are associated with said adjustable mechanisms and adapted toproduce a signal upon said adjustable mechanisms achieving apredetermined position.

5. The machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein: said home positionsensing means includes a plunger adapted to engage into a depression ona movable portion of the adjustable mechanism upon the latter achievinga predetermined position.

6. The machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein: motion sensing means areassociated with said adjustable mechanisms and adapted to remotely sensechanges in the position thereof.

7. The machine as set forth in claim I wherein:

a. certain of said adjustable mechanisms include an operating drivemember; and

b. a remotely operable brake positioned along said drive member toselectively release said adjustable mechanism from said drive member foradjustment.

8. The method of adjusting an envelope making machine which includes aplurality of blank engaging mechanisms adjustable between a homeposition and a plurality of operating positions and having movable meansassociated therewith for effecting said adjustments, the machineincluding connecting means having motion transmitting takeoff membersconnected to each of said movable means, said takeoff members eachincluding a remotely operable clutch adapted to selec tively engage anddisengage said connecting means with said respective movable means, themachine further including reversible adjusting motor means engaged withsaid connecting means for selectively moving said respective movablemeans in opposite directions upon activation of said clutches, andcontrol means responsive to a predetermined program to coordinatemovements of said adjusting motor and actuation of said clutches foradjusting said adjusting mechanisms, said method comprising the stepsof:

a. driving said adjustable mechanisms to said home position;

b. reversing said motor means; and

c. driving said adjustable mechanisms to programmed adjusted positions.

9. The method as set forth in claim 8 wherein said machine has motionsensing means associated with said adjustable mechanisms and includingthe step of: monitoring the movement of said adjustable mechanismsduring said latter driving of said adjustable mechanisms to insureachieving said programmed adjusted positions.

10. The method as set forth in claim 8 wherein said machine has motionsensing means associated with said adjustable mechanisms and includingthe step of: monitoring the movement of said adjustable mechanismsduring said first named driving of said adjustable mechanisms to obtaindt data incorporating adjustments effected following prior programmedadjustment.

11. The method as set forth in claim 8 wherein said machine has homeposition indicating means ad associated with said adjustable mechanismsand including the step of: inhibiting the reversing of said motor meansuntil home position has been indicated for each of said adjustablemechanisms.

12. The method as set forth in claim 8 including the step of:simultaneously driving a plurality of said adjustable mechanisms towardsaid home position.

13. The method as set forth in claim 8 including the step of:simultaneously driving a plurality of said adjustable mechanisms towardadjusted positions.

14. The method as set forth in claim 8 wherein said takeoff members slipabove a predetermined torque and including the step of: overdriving saidadjustable mechanisms at said home position to permit certain of saidmechanisms to remain at home position while other of said mechanisms aremoving toward home position.

